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| United States Patent |
6,149,243
|
|
Chang
|
November 21, 2000
|
Method for making a fruit-shaped bath scrubber
Abstract
A method for making a fruit-shaped bath scrubber makes use of an elastic
tubular net having two open ends. One of the open ends is first folded
toward other end such that the two open ends form a combination end, and
that other end of the tubular net forms a first folding end. The
combination end is then folded toward the first folding end. A tail end of
the tubular net is then repeatedly folded toward the first folding end
until the tubular net is entirely folded to be located beside the first
folding end. A ring is partially inserted into the first folding end
before a lashing strap is put through the top edge of the folded portion
of the tubular net, the first folding end and the ring. The lashing strap
is tightened to form the fruit-shaped bath scrubber.
| Inventors:
|
Chang; Che-Yuan (Chang Hua Hsien, TW)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
309294 |
| Filed:
|
May 11, 1999 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Current U.S. Class: |
300/21; 15/229.11 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A47K 007/02 |
| Field of Search: |
15/209.1,229.11,229.12,229.13
300/21
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 1737247 | Nov., 1929 | Kean | 15/229.
|
| 2857610 | Oct., 1958 | Rympalski | 300/21.
|
| 4168863 | Sep., 1979 | Hatcher | 300/21.
|
| 4462135 | Jul., 1984 | Sanford | 15/229.
|
| 5465452 | Nov., 1995 | Girardot et al. | 300/21.
|
| 5784747 | Jul., 1998 | Girardot et al. | 15/209.
|
| 5850662 | Dec., 1998 | Galvan-Garza | 15/209.
|
| 5916408 | Jun., 1999 | Chen | 300/21.
|
| 5947564 | Sep., 1999 | Chen | 300/21.
|
| 6038727 | Mar., 2000 | Chen | 300/21.
|
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 976889 | Mar., 1951 | FR | 15/229.
|
Primary Examiner: Till; Terrence R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Browdy and Neimark
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for making a fruit-shaped bath scrubber, said method comprising
the steps of:
(a) preparing an elastic tubular net of a length;
(b) folding an open end of the tubular net in a direction toward other open
end of the tubular net such that these two open ends form a combination
end, and that other end of the tubular net forms a first folding end;
(c) folding the combination end in a direction toward the first folding
end;
(d) folding repeatedly a second folding end of the tubular net toward the
first folding end until the tubular net is entirely folded to be located
beside the first folding end;
(e) inserting a ring into the first folding end such that the ring is
partially jutted out of the first folding end;
(f) putting a lashing strap through the top edge of the folded portion, the
first folding end and the ring; and
(g) tightening the lashing strap.
2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step (a) includes a
plurality of elastic tubular nets which are fitted together.
3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step (b) includes a
support member which is used to brace the tubular net while the folding of
the open end of the tubular net takes place.
4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the combination end is folded
in said step (c) such that the combination end is located in the proximity
of the first folding end.
5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the tubular net is folded
repeatedly in said step (d) such that the first folding end is jutted out
of the folded portion of the tubular net.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a bath scrubber, and more
particularly to a method for making a fruit-shaped bath scrubber.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The conventional methods for making a bath scrubber include a step in which
a plurality of elastic tubular nets are disposed and stretched in a
molding tool. The tubular nets are then pleated, stacked, turned over,
lashed, and cut before the tubular nets are removed from the molding tool.
The tubular nets are finally released to form a spherical object. The
conventional methods described above call for the use of various molding
tools, depending on the forms of the bath scrubbers. As a result, the
conventional methods are not cost-effective.
The bath scrubbers made by the conventional methods are not versatile in
form, thereby undermining the marketability of the bath scrubbers. In
addition, the bath scrubbers made by the conventional methods are not
provided with a means enabling a user thereof to hold them securely in the
hand of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a
method for making a fruit-shaped bath scrubber without the use of a
special molding tool. As a result, the method of the present invention is
relatively cost-effective.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method for
making a bath scrubber of various unique forms so as to enhance the
marketability of the bath scrubber.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a method
for making a bath scrubber which can be held securely in the hand of a
user thereof.
It keeping with the principle of the present invention, the foregoing
objectives of the present invention are attained by a method comprising a
first step in which an elastic tubular net of a predetermined length is
prepared such that one open end of the tubular net is folded toward other
open end of the tubular net, and that these two open ends are joined
together. The other end of the tubular net is formed as a first folding
end. The joined end is folded toward the first folding end for an
appropriate length. The tail end of the tubular net is folded toward the
first folding end until the entire tubular net is folded to be the side of
the first folding end. A ring is inserted into the first folding end. A
lashing strap is put through the top edge of the folded portion of the
tubular net, the first folding end, and the ring before the lashing strap
is tightened, thereby forming a bath scrubber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1-6 show schematic views of a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a bath scrubber of the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIGS. 1-7, a method embodied in the present invention comprises
a first step in which an elastic tubular net 12 of an appropriate length
is prepared. The tubular net 12 may be colored variously. The tubular net
12 is then braced by a support member 14, which may be a rod or human arm,
before an open end 22 of the tubular net 12 is turned inside out such that
the open end 22 is pulled upward to reach other end 24 of the tubular net
12, thereby causing these two open ends 22 and 24 to form a combination
end 26. The other end of the tubular net 12 forms a first folding end 28.
Thereafter, the combination end 26 is folded downward to reach the
proximity of the first folding end 28, thereby forming a second folding
end 30 at the place where the folding takes place. The tubular net 12 is
subsequently removed from the human arm serving as the support member 14.
The second folding end 30 is then repeatedly folded in a direction toward
the first folding end 28 until the top edge of a folded portion 32 is
contiguous to the first folding end 28. A ring 34 is partially inserted
into the first folding end 28 such that a portion of the ring 34 is jutted
out of the first folding end 28. One end of a lashing strap 36 is put
through the top edge of the folded portion 32, the first folding end 28
and the ring 34 such that the end of the lashing strap 36 circumvents the
top edge of the folded portion 32 before the lashing strap 36 is
tightened. As a result, a fruit-shaped bath scrubber 10 is formed. The
bath scrubber 10 so formed by the method of the present invention is
attractive to its user, especially a child. In the meantime, the ring 34
serves as a means for holding securely the bath scrubber 10 by hand.
As shown in FIG. 8, the method of the present invention may be modified in
such a manner that the combination end 26 is folded little by little,
thereby resulting in the formation of the folded portion 32 which is
relatively disheveled. In addition, a plurality of elastic tubular nets 12
may be used to make a bath scrubber which is greater in density than the
bath scrubber 10 described above. The elastic tubular nets 12 are fitted
together.
The embodiments of the present invention described above are to be regarded
in all respects as being merely illustrative and not restrictive.
Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without deviating from the spirit thereof. The present invention is
therefore to be limited only by the scopes of the following appended
claims.
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